Valve mechanism for steam-engines.



J. C. BIRD.

VALVE MEHANISM EUR STEAM ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1909.

VPatented Dec. 24, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'la 111,14 r' Gnu-mm@ l )(r/m I @www 55% /UWW atto'onup c'oLUMmAPLANoGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. n. c.

J. C. BIRD.

VALVE MEGHANISM FOR STEAM ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG'. 24. 1909. 1 ,047,9 1 2.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

coLuMBxA PLANOGRAPH C0..WASH|NGTON. D.c.

J. 0. BIRD. VALVE MEGHANISM FOR STEAM ENGINES.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1909. 1,047,91 2; Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l attoffnu) coLuMExA PLANOGRAPH C0.w^SHINnTON, D. c.

The improved modified construction here` reproduced isr very'effectiveyin keeping the `pumps in step, that 'being the Vmain object,

UiviTiin STATES PATENT orrioii.

JoHNo. BIRD, or BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, Assioivon ToUNioN STEAM PUMrfCOMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

VALVE iviieioiinivisivi ,Flon STEAM-ENGINES.

for Steam-Engines, of whichvthe following is a specification. l

his invention relates to improvementsv in valve mechanisms, for steamengines.'

' yThe inventionrelates particularly to'modi ications and improvements'in'means for operating and ymeans coacting with the valve illustrated inmy Patent No. 933,952, issued September 14, 1909.`v 1

. Y The objects of this invention are ,to provide means of controllingthe said valve,

' proper siiccessiverelation whilethey are aty which are other thandirect mechanical vconnections betweenjthe pairs of engines, ithaviiigbeen found desirable in certain relations to so locate theengines that the mechanical means would not properly connect.r

The improvements also here, in some in- ,and econo-M thesynohronizingvalve lis `operated by elecstances, facilitate constructionniize in that particular.`

of course, of the entire structure, to keep two or more pumping enginesin step in work. lVhen I say instep in this specification I mean theproperly timed successive action of the engines.

I accomplish the objects of my inventionby the devices andmeans'described in the following specification. Y

The structure described constitutes one effective embodiment of myinvention.y n Other embodiments would be readily devised by thoseskilled in the art.

The invention is' clearly defined and point-v ed oiitin the claims. n

A structure constituting an effective and vpreferred embodiment ofthefeatures of` my invention is clearly illustrated rin the accompanyingdrawing,l forming` a 'part ofthis specificatiomin which n o Y y Figure 1is a plan view of a pair of pumping yengines,.with a pump illustrated inoonnection with one of them. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalvview through one l of the engines, taken on a line corresponding toline 2 2 of Fig. 1.` i Both engines are eX- actly similar. Fig. Sis adetail horizontal sectional view, through the engine valve Specificationof Letters Patent. PatentedDec. 24 1912. Appiicationied Augustkzi,y1909. jseriai No. 514,383.

inea-ns, taken on a line corresponding to line'l B Baof Fig. 2,.showingthe auxiliary valve and itsconnecting rod as well. Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetail vertical longitudinal sec-v tional view of the synchronizingvalve, taken on a line 4 4 of Fig. 1, through the synchronizing valve.Fig. 5 is a horizontal lon- .s gitudinal detail sectionaly viewof thesynv`` ohronizing valve, taken on a line correspond- :ingto line 5 5 ofFig. 4, showing details of verse detail sectional view of thesynchronizf construction of the parts. Fig. 6 is a transing valve, takenon a line corresponding to lines 6 6 of Figs. 4 and Fig.r7is a detail.plan view of a modification ofthe connections for operating thesynchronizing valve 'where the operating pipes are connectedto,

v.the ends of thefsteam engine cylinder. Fig.

8 isy a detail diagrammatic plan view kof another'modification inkwhiclitlie pipesforA actuating the synchronizing valves are coni inected to the cylinders of the water` ends of the pumps. Fig. 9 is adetail horizontal sectional view, through a modification, in which tricmeans, the same being taken on a liney i ythatwo-uld correspond to line5 5 of Fig'c.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of the.

electrical` connections, showing the various parts in conventional form.o

.In the drawings', similar numerals kof reference referto similar partsythroughout the actuated engine valves and auxiliary valves are the sameas those that,y appear in my former application above referred to.y'Ihey will be here again described.

Referring fto the numbered parts of the drawing, a pair of engines 1 atthe right and y2 at the left areshownconnected and controlled by myimproved synchronizing vvalve mechanism. yA piston is in each enginecylinder and a piston Vrod t projects through a suitable stuiiing-boxand connects to a pumpfor other' driven part, theengine beingespecially. adapted fory use on pumps and `direct-work, although ofcourse it may be desirable to control such engines 'for -other ioof;

purposes. Each engine-cylinder l vand 2 and f vided ywith a steam-chest5, which steam-y chest is provided with a steam-actuated valvecontrolled by pistons 7-'7 of short steam cylinders 7 7 at each end. Arod or stem 8 connects the two pistons together and connects them to aD-slide valve 6 containing perforations toward each end 6 for theadmission of steam.

Steam is admitted to actuate the pistons 7 by the auxiliary engine-valve11 in the auxiliary steam-chest 12, which auxiliary valve is controlledby the valve-stem 11 which is controlled by the action of the swingingarm 13 controlled from the piston rod by stop 14. The upper end of arm13 contacts with the stops 11, 11, whereby the auxiliary valve iscontrolled and steam is admitted to actuate the pistons 7-7 in exactlythe same manner that the piston of a steam engine is controlled. Theswinging arm 13 is carried by one of the rods 15.

This steam-actuated valve mechanism and means is identical on the twoengines 1 and 2 referred to. A steam supply pipe 16 leads from thesynchronizing valve casing 20 to each engine and the exhaust from theengine is through pipes 17 and 17 connected to pipe 18, as clearlyappears in Fig. 1.

Mfidway between the two engines 1 and is my improved synchronizing valveconsisting of a casing 2() which receives steam through the pipe 19 anddelivers to the engine through the pipes 16-16 which connect at bosses16 16, as clearly appears in Fig. 5.

lVithin the valve chamber 20 is a piston valve 31 controlled in thepreferred construction by pairs of pistons, hereafter to be fullydescribed. The valve chamber 20 has a cent-ral annular chamber 25 andannular chambers or ports 26 and 27 toward each end. Three-way valves orcocks 23 and 24 are provided at each side for controlling the connectionof the chambers 26 and 27 to the supply-pipes 16-16, leading to theengines, so that either chamber 26 may be connected to either pipe oreither pipe may be shut off, as the operation of the engine or enginesmay require.

The valves or three-way cocks 23 and 24 are provided with handles 23 and24, respectively, which are bent at proper angles to indicate theposition of the three-way cocks which control the discharge of steamfrom the synchronizing valve.

The piston-valve 31 is provided with sections 28, 29 and 30, forcont-rolling. the chambers or ports 26 and 27, there-being a series ofperforations 28', 29 and 30, respectively, in each of the sections, topermit of the discharge of a restricted or limited amount of steam whenthe said ports 26 and 27 are closed by the said sections. This vrestriction of the steam is the means adopted for effectivelycontrolling the engines and insuring that they move in step; and, ifthey start out of step, that they will vary their movement until theycome into step. The sections 28, 29 and 30 are so spaced that the fullports may be uncovered and opened.

A pair of small pistons 35-35 are arranged to act on the right-hand endof the valve 20, and are in suitable small cylinder bores 35- 35,appearing in the casing 35". On the left-hand end of the synchronizingvalve is an exactly similar structure, consisting of the pair of pistons37H37, in cylinder bores 37 in the casing 37". The pistons at theright-hand end are connected by small pipes 3636 to the right-hand endsof the steam chest 5 5 at the corresponding side, and the ycylinders3737 are connected by pipes 38-38, respectively, to the steam chests 5and 5 at that end,-that is, to the left-hand end of the steam chest ofthe respective engine cylinders.

A spring loaded pin 39 is at the left-hand end o-f the synchronizingvalve, pressure being applied by means of a spring 41 on a centralcollar 40, which stops against the outer part of the casing 37, bracketsor supports 39 being provided for the spring loaded pin 39. A similarspring loaded pin 42 is at the right-hand end of the synchronizingvalve, having the spring 44 acting against the collar 43, which isstopped at the outside, the same being supported by a suitable bracket42. rlhese spring loaded pins extend into the valve casing 2() andcontact against the opposite ends of the valve 31, locating andsupporting the same in its central position. The tension of the springis sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the pins 39 or 42and the valve 31. Vhen single pistons at opposite ends of the valve 31,for instance pistons 35 and 37, have fluid pressure admitted to themthey will counter-balance each other because they act in oppositedirections on the valve. The spring tension of the opposed springs 41and 44 at the opposite ends of the valve will be sufficient to bring thevalve 31 to a substantially central position. If, however, it occursthat the two small pistons 35 at the same end of the mechanism have iuidpressure on them, their' force will be suiciently powerful to overcomethe tension of the single piston 37 at the opposite end and willcompress the spring 44 at the opposite end of the valve 31 and thusthrow the valve to the further limit of its travel in that direction.Should two small pistons 37 at the same end have fluid pressure, theirforce will be sufficient to overcome the single piston 35 at theopposite end and compress spring 39, and the reverse motion will occur.By the arrangement of the mechanism only two of the small pistons havefluid pressure on them at the same time.

Having thus enumerated and described the various parts constituting myinvention, I will now point out their operation and their consequentpurpose. vIn the first posij tion of the mechanism, the piston engine 1is on the point of reversing and the piston ofv engine 2 at its centralposition, moving toward the right@` Inthis position, the

steam is passing through the hollowpistonvalve 31 out through therestricted perfora- ,45 v j This admits steamto its right-hand end andvalve is set for the steam to pass to the lefthand end of the cylinder.yAt thefsame time,

steam is passingvfreely from the chamber,

25 through the wide open ports to the chamber or port 26 through theypipe 16, without any obstruction, to ythe lett-hand end of,k

engine 2, which should be at about the center ofv its stroke. Thepistons of both engines are thus moved in the same direction, and, whenthe piston of engine 2 reaches the end of its stroke, it will throughswinging arm' 13 actuate the auxiliary valve 11, which will operate thesteam-actuatedk engine valve `6 of that engine, causing it to move tothe reversing position. Whenthe valve of engine 2 moves to the reversingposition, it, of course, is actuated by steam pressure, which steampressure, through the pipe 36andthe connected piston 35, reacts on thesynchronizing valve, moving it to central position, where the sectionwill cover the portp'26 and steam will pass thereto only through therestricted apertures 30. n They result is that the piston 3 of theengine 2 beginsl to move slowly toward the left. The same movement ofthe valve moves the section 23 from over kthe port 27 and admits ythesteam full'head without restriction to port or chamber-27 which permitsthe steam to act upon the piston 3 ofthe engine 1 with full force untilit reaches the end of its stroke when the piston 3 of the engine 2 'willbe at about midstroke. When the piston of engine 1 reaches the end ofits stroke, it actuates its auxiliary'valve and by it the main valve ofthe engine 1 is operated and moved instantly to the left.

steam passes through pipe 36 to actuate piston connectedthereto whichacts to throw the piston valve 31 toward the left when thesection 29coversthe port 27 and steam is admitted gradually through the apertures29 to the right-hand of the end ofthe cylinder of engine 1; land thesame movement carries the section 30 from over the port 26 and admitsthe steam full lhead into the right-hand end of the cylinder 2. Themovement then continues until the piston 3 of engine 2 reaches the endof its stroke toward veo the left, at which'time the pistons of engine 1will be about midstroke. Theny the piston 3fof engine 2 reaches the endof its stroke,

itgthrough swinging arm y13`actuates itsl auX- i'liary valve, whichcontrols the steam-act-uated engine valve which is thrown toward theright to the position 'indicated inFig.

10. The vsteam'is'a'dmitted at the ,left end of the cylinder to do thisandthe steam pres-r l Avalve to the right and moves it to position sothatthe port 27 is again lopenedand the port 26 is covered by thesection 30 and the flow of the steam thereto is restricted through theperforations 30 to the left-hand end olt' the cylinder ofengine 2, andthe port 27 is opened and the steam admitted full yhead to the`right-hand of the cylinder of engine 1,

when its piston3 will be movedpromptly to i the left-hand end of itsstroke. In engine 2 n the piston 3 will be movedfto the middle 01'brings the said pistons and'` valves to the powill be seen from thisthatpthere ycangbenc rits stroke toward the right-hand end, which shortstroke of yeither engine, becauseeach controls its'own valves, and anyytendency forthe engines to get vout of step will result in retardingthe movement of the engine' which tends-to move most rapidly,byrestricting the flow of steampthereto and controllingthe same inthatfway until the 0pposite vengine finishes its stroke, the finish ofthe stroke in each instance being von a full headof steam and the supplyof steam to the opposite engine being restricted until the full' strokeof the other engine isl completed ineach instance,--which restriction,if there is a tendency for one engine to move in adj Vance` of the otherand get `out yof step, is

continued vormore than haltl of the stroke,

therebyL compelling the piston thereof, due

to the restricted passage, to move slowly.

while the other piston receives the fullhead of steam-and promptlyfinishes its stroke.

This is an improvement over the usualduplexfarrangement of valves, wherethe pisvtons of one engine/control the valves of the opposite engine,because, under suchcircum-r stances, the valves on one engine may bereversed bythe oppositek engine `reaching the l' end of its stroke,causing one engine toshortstroke, thereby resulting in a great waste 'ofsteamk and consequent loss, dependingupon the extent of the defect inadjustment of the pump. This theoreticallyfresults yin some loss yatlany point of the operation of such kduplex pumps, because,theoretically, a perfect adjustment would be impossible and the losswould be in proportion to the defects ofA Such pumps yrequire constantadjustment. n

attention to keep them in full stroke,-all of which isavoided by myimprovements.

When it is desired to cut out either pumpfcr any purpose,.with myimproved mechanism, one of the three-way cocks 23 imr chambers or ports26 and A27.; :whereupon the/.130

position of the synchronizing-valve is imma terial because it has nocontrol of the supply ot steam. It is best to etlect this connection incutting in this way, as it avoids a multiplicity of valves.

lt will be noted that in the operation of this device the two enginesare about halfstrolre apart, the piston in engine 2 being in the leadabout one-half stroke. This position could be reversed by reversing thepo sition of the valves Q3 and 24 when the pis ton of engine l would beabout a halt-stroke in the lead of the piston of engine 2. It does notmatter, however, which piston is in the lead; the results from theoperation of the synchronizing-valve are just the same. It the pistonsof the engines are not in this position on starting they will quicklyassume this position and relation from the control of my improvedsynchronizingvalve.

1n Fig. 7 I have shown a modification ot my device in that the steampipes 36-86 and 8S-38 are not connected to the opposite ends of thesteam chests 5--5, in which are contained the steam-actuated enginevalves, but to the opposite ends of the steam engine cylindersthemselves.

From what I have already stated in describing the operation of thedevice, the operation of the synchronizing-valve will be understood inthis behalf, because it will be the pressure of the steam in the enginecylinders themselves, as distinguished from the pressure of the steam inthe steam chests 5*-5 that operates the synchronizing valve and movesand holds it in the successive positions indicated.

ln Fig. 8, I show a still further modilication, in which pipes M -45,corresponding to pipes 236-36, and pipes 4G-4G, corresponding to pipesStB- 38, are connected to the opposite ends ot the water cylinders,which are actuated by the steam pump. In this manner, the pistons 35-35and 3737 become hydraulic pistons, in place of steam pistons, which isthe only difference.

Vln Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown a further modification in which pairs ofplungers, operated by electro-magnets, are substituted for the pistonplungers,that is to say, at the right-hand end, there is an electro-magnetic core 49, extended into a plunger, which contacts with the end ofthe valve 3l, which core and plunger is operated by a coil 50, which isin the circuit 5?, which contains a battery, or source of electricsupply 54. The lett-hand end is provided with a pair of such plungers:3l-5l, which are operated by the electro-magnetic coils 52-52, whichare in the circuits :S5- 55, respectively, which circuits each containsa source ot electric supply and battery 56-56. The operation of thesynchronizing valve is readily understood from the effect of theseplungers, which is exactly the same as of the piston plungers in theother structure. These plungers are operated successively by providingextensions of the stems on the ends of the steam-actuated valves 6 ofthe engine cylinders l and 2. At the right-hand end of each valve a stem57 extends, which has a lateral extension 58, which closes on to theterminals of the circuits 53, thereby closing the same and operating thesynchronizing valve whenever the engine at that particular point ismoved toward the lett. On the opposite end of each valve is a stem 59,having a lateral extension 60, serving as a switch to close the circuitsi5 at that side and actuate the electro-magnetic plungers at that side.The operation of the device will be readily understood from thisdescription, these electro-magnetic plungers being operated successivelyby the contacting ot the switches 58-58 and 60-60 respectively.

l have thus described my invention in various forms so that it will bereadily seen that the synchronizing valve can be eectively operated byvarious means, although it is desired to remark that for ordinarypurposes the mechanical connection appearing in my earlier' applicationis desirable on account of its extreme simplicity.

rl`he structures which I have shown here are of advantage in variousrelations where it is not expedient or possible to place the engines inthe proper relation to react upon the synchronizing valve by means ofthe crossbar.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as-new and desire tosecure by Let-- ters Patent is:

l. The combination of a pair ot engines l and 2 each provided with asteam-actuated engine-valve consisting ot a steam-chest with cylindricalends, pistons 7-7 in the ends, a D-slide valve 6 connecting by a stem 8to the said piston-heads; an auxiliary valve ll in a steam-chest 12 forcontrolling the supply ot steam to the steam-actuated engine-valve; avalve-stem 11 arranged to be actuated by a moving part of the engine,whereby each engine controls its own valve; a synchronizing-valveconsisting of a casing 20 with a central port or chamber 25 andend-ports 26 and 27, with a supply leading thereto and supply pipes16-16 leading therefrom to the steam-chests of the two engines,three-way cocks 23 and 24 for controlling the connections of thechambers 2G and 27 to the pipes 16-16, a piston-valve 3l within thevalve-casing 20, consisting of sections 28, 29 and 30, containingrestricted ports 28', 29 and 30 respectively, for controlling t-he ports26 and 27 and valves 28 and 24 on the sides of the valve-casing 9.0 toregulate and reverse the same; a controlling means consisting of pairsof oppositely-tacing plungers at the opposite ends of the saidsynchronizing valve with connections Lto corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the valve normally in the centralposition to beactedon successively by saidplungers, all' co-acting substantially asdescribed and for the purpose specified. f 2. The combinationof a pairof engines 1 y,and 2 each provided with a steam-actuated engine-valveconsistingot a steamches't 5 with cylindrical ends, pistons 7-.7 in theends, a D-slide valve 6 connecting byk a stem 8 to the saidpiston-heads; an auxiliary valve A11 in a steam-chest 12 for controllingthe supply of steam to the steam-actuated ,en-

gine-valve; afvalve-stem 11 arranged to'bey actuated by af moving partroi the engine,

, whereby each engine controls itsown valve;

a synchronizing-valve consistingyof a casing 2O with a central port orchamber 25 'and end-ports 26 and 27, with a supply leading thereto andsupply pipes 16-16 lleading 'therefrom to the steam-chests ofthe twoengines, three-way cocks 28 and 24 for controlling the connections ofthe chambers 26 and 27k to the pipes 16-16, a piston valve 31 within thevalvecasing 20, consisting` `of sections 28, 29 and 30, containingyrestricted ports 28, 29 and 30 respectively, for controlling the ports26 and 27 and valves 23 and 24 on the sides of the valve-casing 20ftoregulate and reverse the same; a controlling means consisting of pairsof oppositely-fa'cing plungers at the opposite ends of thesai'd fsynchronizing kvalve with connections to `corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the said plungers of said ypairs yieldingly andsuccessively; and yielding means `for returning said valve normally tothecentral position to be acted on successivelyvby said plungers, allco-acting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

'3. The combination of a. pair of engines 1 and 2 each provided with a.steam-actuated f engine-valve consisting of a steam-chest withcylindrical ends, pistons 7-71in the ends, a D-slide valve 6 connectingby a stem 8 to the said piston-heads, an auxiliary valve 11 in asteam-chest 12 `for controlling the supply of steam to thesteam-actuatedengine-valve; a valve-stem 11 arranged to be actuated by; a moving partofthe4 engine,

whereby each engine controlsits own valve; a synchronizing-valveconsisting of a casing 20 with a central portor chamber., 2,5 andend-ports 26 and 27, with a supply leading thereto and supply pipes16-16 leading therefrom to the steam-chests ofthetwo engines, avpiston-valve l Vwithin the valvecasing-20, consisting of sections 28, 29and 30, containing restrict-ed `ports 28., 29 and 30 respectively, forcontrolling the ports 26-and 27 andtvalves 23 and 24 on the sides of thevalve-casing 20 toV regulate and reverse thesame; a controlling meansconsistlng of pairs ofjoppositely-faclng plungers at! the opposite endsof the saidfsynchronizing valve with connections to corresponding endsof said engines to operate the said plungers of said. pairs "/yieldinglyand` successively; andfspringfloaded pins extending inwardly at .theopposite ends ofsaid valve, thesprings. beingof such tension andsoarranged as to holdk the valve normally in the central position to beacted on successivelyk by said plungers for the purpose of controllingthe said synchronizing-valve, `all coacting substantially as describedand for the purpose specified; s.

4. The combination of a pair of engines 1 and2 each provided with yasteam-actuated engine valve, consisting y0f a steam chest withcylindrical ends, pistons-77 `in kthe ends, a Dlslide valve 6 connectingby a stemy 8 to the said piston-heads an auxiliary valve 11 in asteam-chest: 12 for controlling the supply of steam to thesteam-actuated engine-valve; a valve-stem 11 arranged to be y tactuatedwby. a moving part of the engine,

whereby each engine controls its ownlvalve; f 5

a synchronizingyalveconsisting of" a casing 20 with a central portv orchamber' 25 and end-ports' 26 and 27, withk a supply leadingr theretoand supply l,pipes 16-16 leading therefrom to the steam-chests of thetwo engines, a"pistonvalve 31 within the valvecasing 20, consisting ofsections 28, 29, and 80, containing restricted ports 28,29v and 30respectively for controlling the ports 26 and 27 and valves 28 and 24 onthe sides of the valve-casing 2() to regulate and reverse the same; acontro-llingfmeans consisting of pairs of oppositely-facing plungers atthe opposite ends of the said synchronizing valve with connections tocorresponding endsof said engines to operate the said plungers of saidpairs yieldinglyand successively; and yielding means for returning saidvalve normally to thecentral position to vbe acted'on successively bysaid plungers,

`all co-acting substantially as described` and for the purposespecified. v

5.' The combination of a pair of direct acting steam engines, each lcontaining va steam-actuated valve and an auxiliary valve iconnectionsto corresponding ends of said 'engines to operatefthesaid-plungers of said pairs yieldingly and successively; spring-v loadedpins extending inwardly atthckoppo- Y iaof site ends of said valve, thesprings being of such tension and so arranged as to hold the valvenormally in the central position to be acted on successively by saidplungers for the purpose ot' controlling the said synchronizing-valve;restricting passages in said synchronizing-valve controlling the portsof said valve to restrict the initial flow of steam to the said engines;a supply-pipe to the synchronizing-valve; and supply-pipes from thesynchronizing-valve to the steam-chests of the engines, whereby theactuation of the steam-actuated valve contro-ls andregulates the supplyof steam to the said steam-chests of said engines, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of a pair of direct acting steam engines, eachcontaining a steam-actuated valve and an auxiliary valve contro-lledfrom the piston of each of said engines for controlling the saidsteam-actuated valve thereof whereby each engine controls its own valve;a synchronizing-valve; a controlling means consisting of pairs ofoppositely-facing plungers at the opposite ends of the saidsynchronizing-valve with connections to corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the said plungers of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; yielding means for returning said valve normally to thecentral po-sition to be acted on successively by said plungers;restricting passages in said synchronizing-valve controlling the portsof said valve to restrict the initial flow of steam to the said engines;a supplypipe to the synchronizing-valve; and supplypipes from thesynchronizing-valve to the steam-chests of the engines, whereby theactuation of the steam-actuated valve controls and regulates the supplyof steam to the said steam-chests of said engines, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose specitied.

7 The combination ot a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedengine-valves for each of said engines; an auxiliary valve controlled bya moving part of each engine for admitting steam to actuate thesteam-actuated engine-valve thereof whereby said engine controls its ownvalve; a synchronizingvalve having restricted and also full ports forcontro-lling the flow of steam to the4 engine valves of each engine; acontrolling means consist-ing of pairs of oppositely-facing plungers atthe opposite ends of the said synchronizing valve with connections tocorrespondingends of said engines to operate "the said plungers of saidpairs yieldingly and successively; and spring-loaded pins extendinginwardly at the opposite ends of' said valve, the springs being of suchtension and so arranged as to hold the synchronizing valve normally inthe cent-ral position to be acted on successively by said plungers asspecified.

8. The combination of aplurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedengine-valves for each of said engines; an auxiliary valve controlledbya moving part of each engine for admitting steam to actuate thesteam-actuated engine-valve thereof whereby said engine controls its ownvalve; a synchronizing-valve having restricted and also full ports forcontrolling the flo-w of steam to the enginevalves of each engine; acontrolling means consisting of pairs of oppositelyfacing plungersat theopposite ends of the said synchronizing valve with connections tocorresponding ends of said engines to operate the said plungers of saidpairs yieldingly and successively; and yielding means for returning saidvalve normally to the central position to be acted on successively bysaid plungers, as specified. Y

9. Thecombination of a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedengine-valves for each of said engines; an auxiliary valve controlled byal moving part of each engine, for admitting steam to actuate thesteam-actuated engine-valve thereof whereby each engine controls its ownvalve; a synchronizing-valve for controlling the ffow of steam to theengine-valve of each engine; a controlling means consisting ol pairs ofoppositely-t'acing plungers at the opposite ends of the saidsynchronizing valve with connections to corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the said plungers of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; and spring-loaded pins extending inwardly at the oppositeends oit said valve, the springs being of such tension and so arrangedas to hold the valve normally in the central position to be acted onsuccessively by said plungers, as specified.

10. rlhe combination of a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedengine-valves for each of said engines; an auxiliary valve controlled bya moving part of each engine, for admitting steam to actuate thesteamactuated engine-valve thereof whereby each engine controls its ownvalve; a synchronizing-valve for controlling the flow of steam to theengine-valve of each engine; a. controlling means consisting o pairsoft' oppositely-facing plungers at the opposite ends of the saidsynchronizing valve with connections to corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the said plungers of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; and yielding means for returning said valve normally tothe central position to be acted on successively by said plungers, asspecified.

1l. The combination ot' a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedengine-valves for each of said engines; a synchronizing valve arrangedin the supply passage to said engines with ports for controlling thedelivery of steam to said engine valves; a controlling means consistingof pairs of op- `iov acting for the purposey specified.

positely-facing plungers atithe opposite .ends of the said synchronizingvalve with connections to corresponding ends of said engines to operatethe said plungers of said vpairs yieldingly and successively; andspringloaded pins extending inwardly at the opposite ends of said valve,the springs being of such tension and so arranged as to hold the valvenormally in the central position to be acted on successively by'saidplungers, co-

12. The combination of a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedrengine-valves for each of said engines; a synchronizing valve arrangedin the ksupply passage to said engines with ports `for controlling thedelivery of steam to said engine valves; a controlling means consistingof pairs of'oppositely-facing plungers at the opposite ends of the saidsynchronizing valvelwith connections to corresponding ends of saidengines to operatethe said plungers of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; and yieldpurpose specified.

ing means for returning said valve normally to the central position tobe acted on successively by said plungers, coacting for the 13. Thecombination of a plurality' of steam engines; steam lactuated valves foreach of said engines, a synchronizing valve y arranged in the supplypassage to said engines with ports :for controlling the delivery ofsteam to said engine valves; a controlling means consisting of pairs ofoppoysitely-facing plungers 'at the opposite endsy y steam engines,steam actuated valves. for

each of said engines, a synchronizing valve arranged in the supplypassage to said engines with ports for controllingl the delivery ofsteam to said engine valves; a controlling means consisting of pairsfofoppositely-facing plungers at the ropposite ends lof the saidsynchronizingy valve with connections to-corresponding endskfoil saidengines to operate the said plungers 'of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; and yielding meansfor returning said valve normally to thecentral position to be acted on successively by said plungers, vcoacting for the purpose specified.

r15. The combination of a plurality of steam engines; steam-actuatedvalvesfor Copies of'this patent'may be obtained for ve cents each, byaddress Washington, D. G. v

each of said engines, av synchronizing valve l to control the operationof said engines; a controlling means consisting of pairs ofoppositely-facing plungers kat the. opposite ends Y of the saidsynchronizing valve with'connections to corresponding ends of saidengines to operate the saidplungers of said pairs yieldingly andsuccessively; spring-loaded pins extending inwardly at vv7,0 and y theopposite ends'of said valve, the springs l being ofsuch tension and soarranged as to hold the valve'normally in the central position to beacted on successively by said plungers, for the purpose specified.'

16. The combination of a plurality of steam' engines; steam-'actuatedvalves for each of said engines, a synchronizing valve to control theoperation of said engines; a

controlling means consisting of pairs ofopy positely-facing plungers atlthe opposite ends l ofthe said synchronizing valve with connections tocorresponding` ends of said engines to operate the Said plungers of saidpairs yieldingly and successively; and

yielding means for returning said valve normally to the central positionlto be acted Von y successively by said-plungers, for thel pur-` posespecified.

y17. In ay synchronizing valve and means of actuating the saine, thecombination withr a plurality of engine cylinders, of a synchronizingvalve through which rsteam is delivered to actuate said engines, saidsynchronizingvalve being provided with open ports and restricted ports;means` for holdy y ing said valve yieldingly in position of theArestricted portage; and a connection for the said synchronizing valve toboth ends of both engine cylinders l for actuating the same, thecombination of the actuating means of, both engine cylinders beingrequired to move the valve tothe full portage, coacting as specified.

18. In a synchronizing `valve and means actuating the same, theVVcombination with a` plurality of `engine cylinders, of a synchronizingvalve through which steam is delivered to actuate. said engines; meansfor holding said valve yieldingly in a position of restricted portage;and a connectionfor the said synchronizing valve to both endsof bothengine cylinders for actuating the iio same, the, combination of the.actuating i means of both engine'cylinder's being required .to move thevalve to the full portage, co-acting as specified.

Inwitness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand .and seal in theypresencey of two witnesses. f

Witnesses H. VAN. WAGNER, EDWARD REEVES.

'.JoHN einen. [a a] y' ng the Commissioner of Patents, y

